UPDATE: Starting December 10, 2023, Australia will enforce a new age limit of 16 years for social media accounts, with platforms facing fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately $33 million) if they fail to comply. This urgent policy shift requires major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to report monthly on the number of accounts closed belonging to Australian children under this age.
In a significant announcement made Wednesday, Communications Minister Anika Wells outlined that the Australian eSafety Commissioner would begin sending notices to the affected platforms on December 11, mandating they disclose data on removed accounts. These notices will continue for six months, intensifying scrutiny on how effectively platforms protect minors online.
Platforms that do not take adequate measures to verify user ages could face severe penalties. Wells emphasized that if systemic breaches are identified, the maximum fines could be imposed by a court for repeated violations.
In a proactive move, Google confirmed that users in Australia under 16 will be automatically signed out of YouTube on December 10, losing access to features like playlists. This decision is based on information from Google accounts, including personal data and other verification signals. Google stated, “We have consistently said this rushed legislation misunderstands our platform.”
Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, announced that it would begin removing suspected underage users from its platforms immediately. Users who are wrongly removed will have the opportunity to appeal their status through Yoti Age Verification, by providing government-issued ID or a video selfie. Meta’s commitment to compliance highlights the urgent nature of this regulatory change.
The new law is already facing resistance. The Digital Freedom Project, an advocacy organization based in Sydney, is seeking a High Court injunction to stall the legislation from taking effect next week. No court date for this hearing has been set yet, but the organization is determined to challenge the law, arguing that it fails to protect young Australians effectively.
Wells defended the government’s stance, stating, “Over the coming months, we will fight to defend this law in the High Court because parents … right across Australia asked for government to step up.” This is part of a broader trend, as other countries, including Malaysia and nations within the European Commission, are also considering similar age restrictions for social media use.
The implications of these regulations are profound. With the enforcement of the age limit, Australia aims to create a safer online environment for children, reflecting growing global concerns about young people’s safety on digital platforms. As these measures unfold, all eyes will be on the responses from tech giants and the legal challenges that will define the future of social media in Australia.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this story continues to develop.
